UC Santa Barbara

Research on body image among adolescent girls has seen a substantial increase during the past two decades due to its direct connection to physical and mental health problems. Unfortunately, the majority of these studies have been pathology-focused with extensive research examining negative conceptualizations of body image. Moreover, there is a dearth of research examining how adolescents from diverse cultural backgrounds experience body image. This paper addresses these gaps in the literature by first identifying distinct profiles of both positive and negative body image experiences among Latina adolescents. The emergent body image profiles were then linked to various psychosocial outcomes, including disordered eating, social engagement, and self-esteem. LCA results showed preference for a two-class model that included a Positive Attitude and Hoping to Change class and a Negative Attitude and Hoping to Change class. The Negative Attitude and Hoping to Change class demonstrated generally poorer outcomes, as they reported greater levels of disordered eating and lower functioning with regard to self-esteem and social engagement.